Tad Kozun has ben announced as the Nipawin Hawks head coach and general manager. (Clark Stork/northeastNOW Staff)

By Clark Stork

Hawks head coach

Interim tag removed, Kozun named Hawks head coach

Mar 28, 2022 | 5:00 PM

The Nipawin Hawks announced Monday that Tad Kozun has been named their new head coach and general manager.

Kozun, 29, took over the roles on an interim basis on Dec. 4 after the team parted ways with long-time coach, Doug Johnson. Kozun was Johnson’s assistant for 27 games before being given the job to finish the season. Kozun said getting the chance to now move forward is special.

“It’s a huge opportunity to be able to come back to my hometown, a place I played, grew up, and obviously move back to last summer. To get this opportunity. It’s really surreal,” Kozun told northeastNOW.

The Hawks finished the season in 11th place with a record of 17-35-6. The team missed the playoffs for the first time since the 2010-11 season. Kozun said he’s excited to rebuild a young Nipawin roster.

“When we’re recruiting, the players are asking if the interim tag is coming off and you have to be optimistic and hope it is. And now that it is it’s a lot easier going forward putting a plan in place,” he said.

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Kozun played 147 games for the Hawks during his Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) career. He attended University Alaska-Anchorage on a scholarship before embarking on a 174 game professional career. He said coming back to the community and having the support of many in town has been fantastic.

“Being able to get this job is a surreal moment and knowing I have a lot of support within the community and everything. Now it’s time to get to work,” he said.

The team will now search for an assistant coach and prepare for the SJHL draft.

Kozun said Dana Dirks, who filled in as an assistant coach to finish the season will stay on as associate general manager.

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clark.stork@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ClarkStork